The Boston Celtics frontcourt has been decimated this summer. Kristaps Porzingis was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, Luke Kornet left via free agency, and Al Horford is unlikely to return to the franchise for the upcoming season.
As such, Brad Stevens may need to get creative if he wants to begin retooling Boston toward a championship push in 2027. In a recent live stream for Bleacher Report, Connor Thoms suggested a trade that would send a long-term replacement for Horford to the Celtics.
The proposed trade looks like this:
Boston Celtics Receive: Domantas Sabonis
Sacramento Kings Receive: Anfernee Simons, Sam Hauser, Georges Niang, Neemias Queta and two first-round picks.
Of course, the Celtics would need to duck under the second luxury-tax apron to make this deal viable. The current restrictions on the Celtics mean they cannot aggregate salaries to match a contract. Fortunately, they’re only marginally into the second apron, as the addition of Josh Minott earlier this summer put them back over the threshold.
Nevertheless, Sabonis would be the ideal replacement for Horford. He can score across multiple levels, act as a playmaking hub, rebound at a high level, and is a passable defender when working in drop coverage.
Horford Drawing Interest From Celtics Rivals
According to Marc J. Spears, Horford is drawing interest from the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers.
“Golden State, obviously, expected him to sign last week. He didn’t,” Spears said on ESPN’s “NBA Today” on July 14. “Lakers, Milwaukee, and Atlanta, I believe, are also interested in a nearly 40-year-old guy who also has retirement on the table. He’s still considering retiring; he’s not in any hurry. He’s got a sixth kid coming on the way, he lives in Atlanta and Boston in the offseason. But I’m hearing that whether it’s Golden State and to a lesser extent the Lakers, being away from the family that far isn’t going to be in that decision.”
The Lakers have already signed Deandre Ayton this summer. As such, it’s unlikely they would pursue Horford. However, his championship experience and versatile skill set would make him a strong fit.
Lakers to Sign Marcus Smart
On Saturday, July 20, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Marcus Smart is expected to sign a two-year $11 million deal with the Lakers. The veteran guard has agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards.
So, while Horford is unlikely to don the Purple and Gold next season, Smart certainly will be. Celtics fans will undoubtedly be sad to see the former fan favorite suiting up for such fierce rivals. However, if they can add an All-Star talent like Sabonis, it may soften the blow of a difficult summer of change for the franchise.
If not, Celtics fans will head into the new season with low expectations and plenty of questions. After all, the point of retooling the roster is to be ready to compete in 2027. That season will be here sooner than any of us can imagine. When it arrives, Jayson Tatum should be back in the rotation.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Trade Idea Lands Celtics Long-Term Al Horford Replacement appeared first on Heavy Sports.